(Third Person POV)
Word has spread throughout not only Westeros but to even Essos, of what Baelon Targaryen had done. He took Balerion to Skagos, whose inhabitants were sending raiding parties to attack villages and towns in the North, and leveled a massive portion of the Island. Those who were in the southeastern part of Skagos were completely annihilated.
Fortunately, for his conscious, they were mostly war-tribes that were gathered by a single Skagosi Lord, The White-Mane, who had them camped there in that region to continue sending men to the North. That specific individual had seen the consequences of his actions; attacking his overlords, resulting in a higher authority in fighting back.
While everybody was shocked that Baelon would go to that point, nobody was surprised that Balerion was capable of causing so much destruction in such a short span of time. It did not even take more than ten minutes for the Black Dread to level the field, leaving nothing but walls and pillars of flame that took days to even die down.
Now, the ashes were still scorching hot, capable of singing anyone's skin should they get too close. This was the power that was in the palm of the Crown's hand and everyone needed to be reminded of that. They needed to be reminded that it wasn't just Balerion, but every other Dragon that they had could potentially be capable of that.
Vhagar, Caraxes, Meleys, Silverwing, Dreamfyre, and the unclaimed Vermithor. These dragons were capable of doing what Balerion did, albeit they would take a bit longer and would require more effort.
The only thing that the Lords of the Realm counted on was the rider and the King that kept these dangers in place. Vhagar is being ridden by Aemond Targaryen, a young prince who is still being held back by his parents, the King and Queen. Meleys and Silverwing were ridden by Rhaenys and Laena respectively and while they could do what needed to be done, it is their personalities that put everyone at ease.
Dreamfyre is the last dragon that people would expect to set a town ablaze, much less an island. Princess Helaena is too kind and gentle to even harm a bug so the thought of her riding to war and burning anything down is out of the question. So when the people of King's Landing see Dreamfyre above them, they are always in awe, seeing their beloved Princess enjoying the joys of dragonriding puts smiles on their faces.
Ignoring Vermithor, who is unclaimed, would leave Caraxes. And everyone was well aware of the kind of man Daemon Targaryen was. The Rogue Prince was unpredictable, dangerous, and capable of influencing his own nephew. But despite this, the people of the realm never felt the danger of Daemon and Caraxes threatening anyone.
All of these factors always relied on the linchpin, the King. Viserys, as gentle and peaceful as he would seem, always kept the dragons in check with his authority. And while his Family had different views from his, it was their love for him that made them listen.
But of course, there will be times when he will be ignored. And only Daemon and Baelon were the ones that would be ignored him.
Baelon, as free-spirited and kind he was, would be ruthless and brutal should the situation need it. And this situation needed it, so he set the Black Dread upon his enemies, crushing them.
A Bold display of his defiance.
From that day forth, he would be referred as Baelon, The Bold.
And if people did not fear or respect him, they would now.
*************
"That boy." Viserys sighed as he drank from his cup, "There is no choice now. I cannot restrain him. Should the situation escalate, he needs to commit now."
Alicent leaned on her arm, sitting in front of her husband, "Is that so?" She said, "I believed you would severely punish him. You are going to let him be?"
Viserys looked at her, "There is a reason why I did not send dragons to Skagos." He said, "These people are barbaric, wild, and unpredictable. Much like the Wildlings beyond the wall. Yes, what Baelon did is a good display of strength, showing the rest of the realm that he means business. But what he did was act with hostility and with even more force than what they did. Any other normal enemy would take a step back and rethink their options, opting to surrender for the sake of their survival. These people, who call themselves Stoneborn? No. They are not normal. This will add fuel to their fire. A fire that could burn brighter than even Balerion's."
"I sincerely doubt that." Alicent said
"Oh? Is that so?" Viserys raised an eyebrow, "Do elaborate."
"No fire can burn brighter and hotter than Balerion. Because it is Baelon who rides the beast." Alicent said, "Do you forget that it was Baelon who caused him to regain his vigor? On the day he was born, the symbol of the old Targaryen Era was reinvigorated. So long as Baelon rides him, no flame could be superior, literally or metaphorically."
"That could be the case." Viserys looked at his cup, "The Skagosi will try to hit back harder. I will see how Baelon will react. I have sent a letter to Lord Stark. Should a full-scale invasion happen, I will provide the necessary aid he requires. But it all depends on Baelon if men are deployed to the North. The Northmen are proud and stubborn, another reason why I haven't sent armies up there. The Houses under the Starks will fight hard and viciously to defend their home. Lord Stark merely wanted a Dragon as a sign of our support."
"Now that Balerion took to the skies, they know that they have support." Alicent smiled slightly, "It seems our boy is no fool after all."
Viserys sighed and nodded, "He and my brother are quite alike." He said, "Like my Father...."
"He has your heart, Viserys." Alicent told him, "Do not forget that."
"No. He is nothing like me." Viserys said as he looked down, "His heart is Aemma's.....and yours..you helped nurture him into the man he is."
Alicent smiled slightly, "He's grown so much."
"That, he has." Viserys said, "I trust that he will do what needs to be done. The Skagosi have sealed their fate. If they do not surrender, the Island will burn. I have come to accept that. And well, I will see how the other Lords take it. That is what I will turn to and worry about."
Alicent nodded, "Of course."
Viserys sighed, "Balerion, hm?" He said, "Who would have thought that he would still live.....?"
"Vhagar is still alive." Alicent said, "Visenya's dragon.....and Meraxes....well, you claimed her didn't you?"
"That poor thing...." Viserys sighed, "Still weak from her injury that caused Queen Rhaenys's death.....I often wonder if Dragons have souls and feelings like us men do...that old girl was probably guilty her whole life about what happened....."
"What happened to her? After you claimed her?" Alicent asked
"She just....passed away." Viserys said, "I do not know....maybe she was tired.....like how Balerion was....But that one...."
"Too stubborn to die."
************
"That mad brother of ours..." Aegon chuckled as he sat on the couch next to Helaena, "Can you believe that? They call him Baelon, The Bold now!"
Helaena nodded as she held a millipede in her hand, "I like that name..."
"I do too.." Aegon smiled, "I wish he would have invited me, I could have burned some savages too..."
Aemond sat on the chair across from them, "Yea...." He said, "Wait, you could have been shot down. I should have gone, I am Vhagar's rider! A show of the old Targaryen strength!"
"Hey, Sunfyre is fast." Aegon said with a chuckle, "No way I could have been shot down!'
"You two are always ready to follow our brother when it comes to flying to danger." Helaena said softly
"Of course, we are brothers!" Aegon said, "I would rather rot in the seven hells than letting him go and fight alone."
"Take it easy, Aegon." Helaena said
The doors opened and Baelon walked in, a serious frown on his face.
"Baelon!" Aemond stood up, "You're back! Where were you after you spoke to father?"
"Dragonstone." Baelon said, "I went to check in on Rhaenyra. You never know."
Aegon saw his frown, "What's up with you?"
"Father and I had a serious argument and I monologued about how Jaehaerys never used his dragons in a time of war because he had his ability to mediate things through diplomacy." Baelon said, "But I just remembered that there was that Dornish war where he, Uncle Aemon, and Grandfather, went down there and shut things down. And then there was that issue with the Myrish Pirates. Now I feel like a fucking idiot."
Aegon chuckled, "Ha!" He laughed, "Are you serious?!"
"Man, shut up." Baelon said as he walked up to Helaena, "My love."
He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek before grabbing her hand and pulling her up.
"B-Baelon!" She exclaimed while her face went red, "What are you doing?!"
Baelon walked away, pulling her with him, "Come with me."
As they left the room, the remaining brothers looked at each other.
"Huh." Aemond said while he blinked, "You know, I am aware that they are going to marry soon, but isn't it strange? Seeing him kiss our sister like that?"
Aegon shrugged, "It's a Targaryen thing." he said, "Incest."
"Yea, you are right." He said, "Hey, I heard Daeron is coming."
"Oh, nice." Aegon said, "On his dragon?"
"I don't know." Aemond said, "We should fly above the blackwater."
"I'll do you one better." Aegon snapped his fingers at him, "Let's fly above the entire Realm."
"Let's have some fun!"